REPORT FROM THE DOE – HONOLULU – After a recruitment and selection process of nearly two months, the Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE) is announcing a new Deputy Superintendent’s Principal Roundtable for the upcoming 2014-15 school year. The Roundtable is designed to engage with principals directly to improve communication, garner feedback, develop collaborative solutions to critical challenges, and identify individuals for future complex area, state and national leadership positions and opportunities.
Twenty-six individuals, including all members of the Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) Unit 6 Board of Directors and 14 additional sitting principals from four major islands, representing a diverse mix of schools and principal experience, have been named to the Roundtable. See the list of SY2014-15 Roundtable members below.
“As a former principal who knows firsthand about the challenges our principals face each day, we are committed to a thoughtful process of selecting school leaders for this Roundtable,” said Deputy Superintendent Ronn Nozoe. “We value their feedback and their dedication to their schools, communities as we continue to transform public education.”
HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira stated, “We are encouraged by this additional opportunity for our principals to provide feedback from the field. With this critical information, we hope to create solutions that will transition into meaningful change to positively impact the everyday work of the principals and vice principals. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to support these efforts.”
The opportunity to be part of the Roundtable was first shared with DOE principals in April. The Department received nearly 40 nominations from principals, Complex Area Superintendents, and the HGEA.
Roundtable members will meet over the summer to establish priorities. All DOE principals will be informed of the work of the Roundtable and given an opportunity to give further feedback.
“I’m looking forward to helping with finding solutions for our school leaders,” said Fred Murphy, principal, Mililani High School. “We hope to set priorities moving forward, and to help principals be as creative and dynamic as they can be at their institutions.”
The 26 Roundtable members for School Year 2014-2015 are:
1. Lorelei Aiwohi, Kalakaua Middle School (Honolulu District, Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani)
2. Wade Araki, Kaimuki High (Honolulu District, Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt)
3. Duwayne Abe, Salt Lake Elementary (Central District, Aiea-Moanalua-Radford)
4. Bert Carter, Ka‘ewai Elementary (Honolulu District, Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani)*
5. John Costales, Kalama Intermediate (Maui District, Baldwin-Kekaulike-Maui)*
6. Patricia Dang, Kapalama Elementary (Honolulu District, Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani)*
7. Gary Davidson, Molokai Middle School (Maui District, Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanai-Molokai)
8. Chad Farias, Kea‘au Elementary (Hawaii District, Kau-Keaau-Pahoa)*
9. Shelley Ferrara, Mauka Lani Elementary (Leeward District, Campbell-Kapolei)
10. Daniel Hamada, Kapaa High (Kauai)
11. Debra Hatada, Ka‘imiloa Elementary (Leeward District, Campbell-Kapolei)*
12. Disa Hauge, Waianae High School (Leeward District, Nanakuli-Waianae)
13. Keith Hayashi, Waipahu High (Leeward District, Pearl City-Waipahu)
14. Francine Honda, Kailua High School (Windward District, Kailua-Kalaheo)*
15. Kelcy Koga, Waiakea High School (Hawaii District, Hilo-Waiakea)*
16. Naomi Matsuzaki, Kahalu‘u Elementary (Windward District, Castle-Kahuku)*
17. Wilfred Murakami, Kealakehe High (West Hawaii)
18. Fred Murphy, Mililani High School (Central District, Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua
19. Deborah Nekomoto, Kapunahala Elementary (Windward District, Castle-Kahuku)
20. Irene Puuohau, Hawaii Government Employees Association
21. Fred Rose, Eleele Elementary (Kauai)*
22. Janette Snelling, Kohala High School (West Hawaii)
23. James Sunday, Radford High School (Central District, Aiea-Moanalua-Radford)*
24. Brett Tanaka, Office of Curriculum Instruction, Student Support*
25. David Tanuvasa, (Vice Principal) Waipahu High School (Leeward District, Pearl City-Waipahu)*
26. Keoni Wilhelm, Mokapu Elementary (Windward District, Kailua-Kalaheo)
*Member of HGEA Unit 6 Board of Directors
About the Hawaii State Department of Education
The Hawaii State Department of Education is the ninth-largest U.S. school district and the only statewide educational system in the country. It is comprised of 255 schools and 33 charter schools, and serves more than 185,000 students. King Kamehameha III established Hawaii’s public school system in 1840. The DOE is in the midst of a range of historic efforts to transform its public education system to ensure graduates succeed in college or careers. To learn more, visit HawaiiPublicSchools.org.
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